Tank Cleaner
AssigneeOceaneering International, Inc.
InventorsGeorge G Holliday, JR., Patrick Gustin, Alex Innes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A robotic tank system may be used for performing functions related to a structure such as a tank or a hull structure, either which may be used for storage or ballast, comprises a robotic system comprising a base, a crane connected to the base, an end effector operatively connected to the crane, a control unit operatively in communication with the crane and the end effector, and a power unit operatively in communication with the crane, the end effector, and the control unit; a console operatively in communication with the control unit and with the power unit; and a tool selectively attached to the end effector, the tool operatively in communication with the control unit, the console, and the power unit.
Claims26
1) A robotic system for performing functions related to a structure such as a tank used for storage or ballast or a hull structure, comprising:
- a) a base;
- b) a crane connected to the base;
- c) an end effector operatively connected to the crane;
- d) a control unit operatively in communication with the crane and the end effector;
- and
- e) a power unit operatively in communication with the crane, the end effector, and the control unit.
5) A robotic tank system for performing functions related to a structure, comprising:
- a) a robotic system, comprising:
- i) a base;
- ii) a crane connected to the base;
- iii) an end effector operatively connected to the crane;
- iv) a control unit operatively in communication with the crane and the end effector;
- and
- v) a power unit operatively in communication with the crane, the end effector, and the control unit;
- b) a console operatively in communication with the control unit and with the power unit;
- and
- c) a tool selectively attached to the end effector, the tool operatively in communication with the control unit, the console, and the power unit, the tool operative to aid in performing functions related to the structure, the structure comprising a tank or a hull structure used for storage or ballast.
19) A method of using a robotic tank system for performing functions related to structure, the robotic tank system comprising a robotic system comprising a base, a crane connected to the base, an end effector operatively connected to the crane, a control unit operatively in communication with the crane and the end effector, and a power unit operatively in communication with the crane, the end effector, and the control unit;
- a console operatively in communication with the control unit and with the power unit;
- and a tool selectively attached to the end effector, the tool operatively in communication with the control unit, the console, and the power unit, the method comprising:
- a) positioning the robotic system proximate an area of the structure;
- b) positioning the end effector proximate the area of the structure;
- and
- c) performing a predetermined function on the area of the structure by using issuing a command to the tool to cause the tool to aid in performing the predetermined function on the area of the structure.
24) The method of using a robotic tank system for performing functions related to a structure of claim 25, further comprising using the robotic device to screen the internal portion of the structure for conditions such as corrosion, wall thickness, crack detection, and other defects during or after cleaning.
25) The method of using a robotic tank system for performing functions related to a structure of claim 26, wherein the screening further comprises NDE inspection for functions such as crack depth, corrosion depth, and other defects after screening inspection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.